The ClubSport awards for Lewis and Harris have been announced for 2026, with a number of individuals, teams and clubs being recognised for their contribution to sport and their outstanding performances.
Stornoway Running and Athletics Club (SRAC) took multiple awards, coming away with ClubSport Lewis and Harris Club of the Year, Sportscotland Young Coach of the Year for Rachel Murray and Young Person’s Coach of the Year for Willie MacRury.
SRAC also won Over 18 Sports Person of the Year, which went to Abbie Stewart. The Under 18 Sports Person of the Year was won jointly by Scottish high jump champion James Anderson and dancer Ruby Ramsay.
Sportscotland Community Coach of the Year went to Gordon MacDonald for his work in youth football with Stornoway United FC.
Meanwhile, the Scottish ClubSport Service to Sport award went to karate coach John D Murray.
Lewis Camanachd won ClubSport Lewis and Harris Team of the Year, after a year of winning performances.
The judges celebrated all the winners, explaining what made them so special.
Beginning with the Service to Sport winner John D Murray, they said: “John Murray is an exceptional coach whose contribution to karate goes far beyond technical instruction.
“He teaches one of the largest children’s karate clubs in the UK, giving his time, expertise and encouragement to help young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience and a genuine love of the sport.”
Turning to SRAC as winner of Club of the Year, they said: “Stornoway Running and Athletics Club (SRAC) have made huge strides over the past year strengthening our governance, growing membership, increasing participation and investing in the people and systems that underpin the club.”
About Lewis Camanachd as Team of the Year, they said: “This year, Lewis Camanachd reached the final of the Chieftain Cup, a national competition featuring teams from both the North and South Division 1 and Division 2 leagues.”
Recognising the Community Coach of the Year, they said: “Gordon Macdonald is an outstanding volunteer and a valued member of Stornoway United FC. He coaches the Under 8 and Under 10 squads every Thursday, giving up his time each week to support and develop our young players.”
There were warm words too for Rachel Murray as Young Coach of the Year. “At just 21, Rachel is already a fully qualified Level 2 Athletics Coach and is in her 4th year at Edinburgh University studying to become a PE teacher. Since gaining her coaching qualification in 2024, Rachel has shown an outstanding commitment to SRAC whenever she is home from university.”
SRAC’s Willie MacRury, Young Person’s Coach of the Year, is no stranger to these awards.
The judges said: “Willie is the heart and soul of Stornoway Running and Athletics Club. The driving force behind the club without a doubt. He devotes so much of his time to SRAC despite having a very young family of his own.
“He does everything from organising the training sessions for Under 10 to Under 18 and beyond, to organising the track and field competitions while overseeing the local cross country series and the trips to the mainland for races/competitions, all whilst also recruiting new coaches and mentoring the more experienced coaches.”
Willie had coached Abbie Stewart, winner of the Over 18 Sports Person of the Year, among other young athletes.
Judges said of Abbie: “Abbie has continued to make remarkable progress in the highly competitive U20 Women's middle-distance events. She began the year with a 3rd place finish at the Inter District Cross Country Championships before an incredible 10th place finish at the British Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in March.
“Abbie has enjoyed another breakthrough season setting massive personal bests over 800m,1500m and the mile, while breaking the SRAC senior records for both the 800m and mile.
“She won her first full Scottish title in the 800m at the Scottish Athletics Track and Field Championships followed by silver in the 1500m the next day.
“This Scottish title was a particularly significant achievement making Abbie only the 3rd Stornoway athlete to become a Scottish champion after Donnie MacLeod and Connor Maclean. Abbie successfully secured a place at Stirling University where she was offered a place in the Performance Endurance Squad.
Judges also spoke of the joint winners for Under 18 Sports Person of the Year.
James Anderson was recognised for becoming Scottish Champion at high jump. Judges also noted he had made the podium for long jump and taken a silver medal for Scotland at an international event. James also won bronze at the English Outdoors Championship.
They said of Ruby Ramsay: “Ruby has competed in Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop dance as well as representing North West Allstars in both Under 8, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Senior Cheer.
“She has continually challenged herself to develop across different styles and disciplines, showing an exceptional level of commitment and versatility.
“She is also achieving at an international level. This year she has been selected to represent Scotland at the ICU World Championships in Florida in both Hip Hop and Pom. This is a fantastic achievement.”
Scottish ClubSport is the national umbrella organisation for local ClubSport networks and sports councils across Scotland. It connects more than 3,000 local sports clubs and organisations and includes more than 50 different sports.
